RENÉE AND HENRY SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL December 29, 2018 Segerstrom Center for the Arts and Attila Glatz Concert Productions present Saturday at 8 p.m. Strauss Symphony of America Matthias Fletzberger, Conductor Monika Rebholz, Soprano Alexandru Badea, Tenor National Ballet of Hungary Adrienn Horányi Noel Ágoston Kovács Ricardo Vila Manzanares Viktória Barbara Rohonczi Marianna Venekei, Choreography and costumes International Champion Ballroom Dancers The Center applauds: Patrik Czuczi Bettina Farkas Lúcia Kakas József Szepesi Csaba László, Choreography Szilvia Szatmári-Nagy, Costumes Out of courtesy to the artists and your fellow patrons, please take a moment to turn off and refrain from using cellular phones, pagers, watch alarms and similar devices. The use of any audio or videorecording device or the taking of photographs (with or without flash) is strictly prohibited. Thank you. 3
The Program Franz von Suppé Overture to Light Cavalry Emmerich Kálmán Heia in den Bergen, from Gypsy Princess Johann Strauss, Jr. Tausend und eine Nacht Waltzes, Op. 346 Johann Strauss, Jr. Als flotter Geist, from Gypsy Baron Johann Strauss, Jr. Persian March, Op. 289 Johann Strauss, Jr. Schatz Waltzes, Op. 418 Emmerich Kálmán Mein lieber Schatz, from Countess Maritza Johann Strauss, Jr. Éljen a Magyar Polka, Op. 332 INTERMISSION Emil von Reznicek Overture to Donna Diana Emmerich Kálmán Komm, Zigány, from Countess Maritza Johann Strauss, Jr. Wiener Blut Waltzes, Op. 354 Franz Lehár Hör ich Zimbalklänge, from Gypsy Love Johann Strauss, Jr. Vom Donaustrande Polka, Op. 356 Franz Lehár Wer hat die Liebe uns ins Herz gesenkt? from Land of Smiles Johann Strauss, Jr. Tik-Tak Polka, Op. 365 on themes from Die Fledermaus Program and artists are subject to change without notice. 4
A message from the Co-Founders and Producers Dear Friends, Welcome to Salute to Vienna. We are delighted to have you join us in this beautiful celebration of music, song, and dance. Just like a flute of champagne, raised in a toast to the New Year, this concert has become a tradition to mark the passage of time and step away from the day-to-day of regular life, to celebrate achievements as well as what lies ahead. For us, this concert series is particularly resonant as the music and traditional waltzes transport us back to our beloved Vienna, the birthplace of the original Neujahrskonzert more than 80 years ago. When we brought this tradition with us to our new home in North America, we had no idea how it would contribute to the life we ve shared together in great happiness here, and how our traditions would be so warmly embraced by almost 60,000 neighbors and friends across both the United States and Canada each New Year s season. It has given us the opportunity to work with and champion the talent of local musicians, while providing international exposure to the singers and dancers we fall in love with each year in Europe. This year, we are particularly honored by the relationships this project has built, and continues to reinforce, between North America and Europe. Our beautiful, changing, complex world is strengthened by relationships that unite communities, and these relationships are often created by cultural and artistic pursuits. For Salute to Vienna to play a small part in that, we have achieved more than we could have ever imagined. On that note, please sit back and enjoy the beautiful concert that is about to begin! Recipients of the Austrian Government s Decoration of Merit in Gold in recognition of their promotion of Viennese musical traditions Photo by Chris Lee 5
Alexander Van der Bellen, Federal President of the Republic of Austria Music possesses a remarkable uniting power and can carry a message of joy, peace, and friendship. Such messages are just what we need in today s world, a world that is searching for a better future, and for hope and understanding between all nations on earth. It is with great pleasure that I warmly welcome all those attending Salute to Vienna New Year s Concert, featuring world-famous music from my home country, Austria. As the Federal President of the Republic of Austria, I wish you a peaceful, hopeful, and prosperous New Year! Sebastian Kurz, Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria Austria has a long and prosperous tradition of sending musical greetings to the world with our annual New Year s Concert. The lively rhythms of waltz, polka, and the traditional Radetzky March set a festive and cheerful start to the New Year. It is wonderful to see that a concert series like Salute to Vienna reaches countless music lovers across the USA and Canada, who are being given the opportunity to experience Viennese music and tradition. I wish all guests an inspiring concert and a happy, healthy, and peaceful New Year! Michael Häupl, Mayor and Governor of Vienna I am very happy that Salute to Vienna brings Vienna, the City of Music, closer to so many people in North America. I am convinced that the language of music has the power to unite people across all borders. Music is a universal language and Salute to Vienna has represented the uniting power of music for many years. Wonderful melodies, including waltzes composed by Johann Strauss, Jr., and operettas by Franz Lehár and Emmerich Kálmán, accompany audiences on a journey to Vienna and into the New Year. Needless to say, this musical message from Vienna is carried across the Atlantic by the very best musicians. I hope that audiences enjoy the beautiful music from Vienna and wish you all the very best for the New Year! Wolfgang Waldner, Austrian Ambassador to U.S. A tradition deeply embedded in the Viennese soul is ringing in the New Year, with Austria s unofficial national anthem, the Blue Danube Waltz by Johann Strauss, Jr., as the climax. I thank the producers of Salute to Vienna New Year s Concert for their lasting commitment to promoting the rich artistic traditions of our nation. Their efforts to bring Vienna s signature sound and the festive feeling of the ball season to people all over North America every year are greatly appreciated. 6
About the Artists Matthias Fletzberger, Conductor Matthias Fletzberger began studying violin and piano at the University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna at the age of 5 and was soon known as a piano prodigy. Winning top prizes at prestigious piano competitions launched his career as a recitalist, a soloist with major orchestras, and a collaborator with artists including Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Renata Tebaldi, and Isaac Stern. He launched his conducting career with Marriage of Figaro in Salzburg and Magic Flute at the Vienna Festival. Future engagements include a new Der Ring des Nibelungen staged by Achim Freyer in Seoul. Monika Rebholz, Soprano Monika Rebholz studied at the Leopold Mozart Centre for Music and Music Education in Augsburg. Her artistic career began at the Stadttheater Passau, followed by engagements with the Prince Regent Theatre in Munich, Theater Hagen, State Opera Hannover, and Frankfurt Chamber Opera. She has competed at the Lehár Festival Bad Ischl, the Aberdeen Music Festival, and Operetta Festival Ludesch. From 2006-2009, Ms. Rebholz was a singer with the Stuttgart State Opera. She has worked with well-known orchestras including the Bruckner Orchester Linz, the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, the Wiener Opernball Orchester, the Tschechische Nationalphilharmonie, and the Strauss Festival Orchestra Vienna. Alexandru Badea, Tenor Alexandru Badea debuted at the Salzburg State Theatre as Nemorino (L elisir d amore), followed by performances at the Vienna Volksoper in La Périchole, Gypsy Baron, and Faust. He sang the title role of Faust with Deutsche Oper Berlin and Theater Basel, where he further impressed as Alfredo (La traviata). Mr. Badea has appeared at Salzburg Festival, Festival International d Art Lyrique d Aix-en-Provence, Festival della Valle d Itria, as well as at the Cologne Philharmony. A career highlight was his personal invitation by Plácido Domingo to tackle the role of Arturo in Bellini s I puritani with the Washington National Opera. His latest roles include Duca (Rigoletto), Hoffmann (Tales of Hoffmann), and Pollione (Norma). 7